Holder for stacked sheet material



Sept. '8, 1964 D. H. NORTHUP HOLDER FOR STACKED SHEET MATERIAL Filed Jan. 31, 1963 //Vl//VTOP DAL E H NOR THUP 5y ATTOR/VE v5 United States Patent 3,147,694 HOLDER FOR TACKED SHEET MATERIAL Dale H. Northup, 1722 2nd St., Perry, Iowa Filed Jan. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 255,391 3 Claims. (Cl. filth-219) This invention relates generally to .a holder for stacked material, and more particularly to a holder for photographic prints.

When developed photographic prints are taken from the dryer, .a certain amount of dampness remains in the print material. Unless certain provisions are taken to properly store and stack these prints, warping and curling will result which could impair the photographs. Present day methods and structures of preventing this undesirable warping and curling are the weighting of the prints under glass and other fiat, heavy objects. Also spring pressed or biased holders have been provided.

It is an object of this invention to provide a holder for stacked material which is an improvement over present day structures.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved holder wherein an initial hold-down force pro vided by the operator is continually maintained on the stacked material after his withdrawal from the holder, thus obviating the need for heavy or spring-biased objects for continual hold-down force.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved holder which permits the stacking and unstacking of sheet material to be readily performed, easily aligned and with the least amount of physical effort.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a lightweight, portable holder which is readily disassembled for transport and shipping purposes, and which is readily assembled for use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved holder for stacked sheet material capable of attaining all of the above mentioned objectives which is economical to manufacture, simple in construction, and effective in operation and use.

These objects and other features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder of this invention assembled and in use, and showing the alternate positions of several parts by the use of full and dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the holder of FIG. 1, showing several of the parts in momentarily assumed positions; and

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the holder of this invention is indicated generally at in FIG. 1 and is shown holding flat a plurality of photographic prints P of the same length and width and rectangular in configuration. The holder 10 includes a relatively flat rectangular base plate 11 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and a relatively fiat support 12 of the same general size and configuration as the base plate 11.

The plates 11 and 12 are held together in alignment and in spaced relation .as best illustrated in FIG. 3 by a flat center plate 13 inserted therebetween. Spot welding or other means is utilized to secure together the three plates 11, 12 and 13. A flat piece 14 (FIG. 3) of soft material such as felt or the like is secured to the upper surface of the support plate 12, or a synthetic felt can be sprayed thereon to provide a soft covering for the plate 12.

Along the front edge of the holder 10, indicated generally at 15 in FIG. 1, a metallic front panel 16 is hingedice 1y secured. The panel 16 is flat and rectangular, and is connected by a pair of hinges 17 and 18 to the base plate 11 and the support plate 12 at the center of the front edge 15. As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 16 is adapted to be positioned in a straight, upstanding position so as to hold the photographic prints P in a vertical alignment with their front edges forming a vertical straight line .as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The front panel 16 is also hingedly movable straight outwardly from and in the same plane as the remainder of the holder base. Also, for shipping and storing purposes when the holder 10 is empty, the front panel 16 can be moved to a position flat against the felt pad 14.

At the rear corners of the holder 10, a pair of metallic corner panels 19 and 21 (FIG. 1) are provided for coacting with the front panel 16 to provide lateral and front and rear support for the photographic prints P. The corner panels 19 and 21 are interchangeable, and each comprises a normally upstanding, right angular plate having a flat side wing 22 and a flat rear wing 23. The outer edge 24 of each wing slants away from the vertical as it depends as illustrated in FIG. 3.

A right angular flange 26 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is formed at the base of each corner panel 19 and 21 and extends inwardly toward the center of the holder 10. Each flange 26 has .a pair of openings 27 formed therein for assembly purposes. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the thickness of each flange 26 is such that the flange will tightly fit in between the base plate 11 and the support plate 12.

To aid in retaining the respective corner panel in place, the base plate 11 has a pair of indentations 28 (FIG. 3, only one showing) formed therein. The indentations 28 project upwardly so as to protrude into the openings 27 when the corner panel is inserted correctly into place, as illustrated by dotted lines in one instance in FIG. 1. The base plate and support plates are slightly flexible to en- .able movement of the corner panels into and out of engagement between the plates 11 and 12. Thus, for use the corner panels are assembled as illustrated, and for storage and shipping they are separated from the remainder of the holder as illustrated by the dotted line panel in FIG. 1, separated outwardly as shown by full lines.

To provide a positive hold-down of the stacked prints P, a cover unit 29 is provided. The cover unit 29 includes a relatively fiat cover plate 31, a handle 32 and a plurality of magnetic catches 33, 34, 35 and 36. The cover plate 31 is of a rectangular size similar to but slightly smaller than the size of the base and support plates 11 and 12 so as to fit snugly within the confines of the rectangular enclosure formed for the photographic prints P by the arrangement and configuration of the front panel 16 and the corner panels 19 and 21. On the underside of the cover plate 31, another felt pad37 (F1643) or the like is provided.

The handle 32 is conventional and is secured to the top surface of the cover plate 31 by solder or spot welding or the like. The handle 32 is secured to the center of the 'cover plate and extends longitudinally thereof.

The magnetic catches 3336 are commercially available, and the embodiments used herein are described with particularity in US. Pat. No. 2,943,881. Generally, each catch includes an open-end housing 38 (FIG. 3) secured by solder, spot welding or the like to one side of the cover plate 31, and a magnet assembly 39 disposed within and pivotally mounted for slight relative movement to the housing 38. Referring to FIG. 3, with no prints P placed on the support plate 12, securement of :the cover plate 31 in the position illustrated is achieved by magnetic engagement of the front catches 33 and 34 with the iner surface 41 of the front panel 16, and by magnetic engagement of the rear catches 35 and 36 with the inner surface 42 of both the corner panel rear wings 23.

It will be noted that the placement of the catches 33- 36 is such that their magnet assemblies 39 are adapted to engage and clamp against the inner surfaces described hereinbefore When the front panel 16 and the corner panels 19 and 21 are assembled for use, and with the front panel 16 raised to a vertical position.

The base plate 11 and the support plate 12 of the present embodiment each has a length and width of approximately 10% inches and 8% inches, respectively. The front panel has a height of approximately inches and a width of about 5 inches, or one-half the length of the plates 11 and 12. Each corner panel 19 and 21 has a height approximately the same as that of the front panel 16, and with each wing being 2 inches in width at its top and 4 inches in width at its base.

In use of the holder 10, assuming both corner panels19 and 21 are assembled, with the front panel 16 folded outwardly, and with the cover unit 29 removed, one or more photographic prints P can be placed on the support plate 12 with their rear corners complementarily inserted into the right angular corners of the corner panels 19 and 21. The front panel 16 is then swung upwardly into an upstanding position to ensure the vertical alignment of the stacked prints.

Then with the front panel 16 held slightly outwardly, the cover unit 29 is lifted by the handle 32 into place flat and horizontally disposed over the prints. The cover plate 31 is then firmly forced downwardly, the magnetic attraction of the rear catches 35 and 36 being overcome, until the operator is either satisfied with the compression, or until further compression is not possible. The front panel 16 is then swung into engagement with the front catches 33 and 34, andthe positive attraction of all four catches maintains this compression. The attraction force is such that the entire holder can be lifted by the handle 32 with the parts in their positions of FIG. 3.

To remove one or more printsfrom'the assembly, the front panel 16 is pivoted'outwardly from the full line position of FIG. 1 to the dotted line position thereof, thus breaking the magnetic attraction thereto by the front catches 33 and 34. Then, by merely pivoting+so to speak-th'e cover unit 29 upwardly about the rear catches 35 and 36, the attraction there is quickly broken. is compared to a straight away pull which is possible, but which could disrupt the precise arrangement of the prints. After removal of the cover unit, the prints are'easily handled.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of myholder for stackedsheet material without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any. modified forms of structure or-use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. A sheet material holder comprising in combination;

a base means including-a pair of rectangular plates secured together and having a space formed therebetween, one of said plates having at least one indentation formed therein at one or more of the corners thereof, said indentation facing the other of said plates; 7

front panel means hingedly connected to said base means at a front edge thereof and movable to a vertically disposed position;

corner panel means including a pair of plates each having Wing portions disposed at right angles to each other and having further a flange at the base thereof at right angles to said wing portions, said flange having at least one depression formed therein, each plate removably assembled to said base means at a corner thereof with said flange inserted into said space with said depression aligned with said indentation, and with the wing portions vertically disposed along rear and side edges of said base means;

cover means for the sheet material placeable between said front panel means when vertically disposed and said corner panel means, and disposed over said base means so as to compress the sheet material downwardly thereagainst; and

magnetic means mounted on said cover means and magnetically engageable with said front panel means when vertically disposed and with said corner panel means.

2. A sheet material holder comprising in combination:

'a base means including a pair of rectangular plates secured together and having a space formed therebetween, one of said plates having at least one indentation formed therein at one or more of the corners thereof, said indentation facing the other of said plates;

front panel means including a flat panel hingedly connected to a front edge of said base means at substantially the center thereof and movable to a vertically disposed position;

corner panel means including a pair of plates each having wing pontions disposed at right angles to each other and haying further a flange at the base thereof at rightanglesto said wing portions, said flange having at least one depression formed therein, each plate removably assembled to said base means at a corner I thereof with said flange inserted into said space, with said depression aligned with said indentation, and

i with the wing portions vertically disposed along rear and side edges of said base means;

cover means for the sheetmaterial including a plate having a lifting means therefor on one side and having a flat surface on theother side, said plate placeable between said front panel when vertically disposed and said corner panel wing portions, said plate having a suflicient weight to compress the sheet material against the base means; and

magnetic means mounted on'said cover means and magnetically engageable with said front panel means when vertically disposed and with said corner panel means. i l

3. A sheet material holder as defined in claim 2 and wherein said magnetic means includes a plurality of magnetic' catches mounted in spaced relation on said cover plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,065 Helgeson Dec. 2, 1902 2,399,857 Connors May 7, 1946 2,499,744 Goines et al. Mar. 7, 1950 2,943,881 Duhm July 5, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES 460,537 France Oct. 7, 1913 

1. A SHEET MATERIAL HOLDER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A BASE MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF RECTANGULAR PLATES SECURED TOGETHER AND HAVING A SPACE FORMED THEREBETWEEN, ONE OF SAID PLATES HAVING AT LEAST ONE INDENTATION FORMED THEREIN AT ONE OR MORE OF THE CORNERS THEREOF, SAID INDENTATION FACING THE OTHER OF SAID PLATES; FRONT PANEL MEANS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID BASE MEANS AT A FRONT EDGE THEREOF AND MOVABLE TO A VERTICALLY DISPOSED POSITION; CORNER PANEL MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF PLATES EACH HAVING WING PORTIONS DISPOSED AT RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER AND HAVING FURTHER A FLANGE AT THE BASE THEREOF AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID WING PORTIONS, SAID FLANGE HAVING AT LEAST ONE DEPRESSION FORMED THEREIN, EACH PLATE REMOVABLY ASSEMBLED TO SAID BASE MEANS AT A CORNER THEREOF WITH SAID FLANGE INSERTED INTO SAID SPACE WITH SAID DEPRESSION ALIGNED WITH SAID INDENTATION, AND WITH THE WING PORTIONS VERTICALLY DISPOSED ALONG REAR AND SIDE EDGES OF SAID BASE MEANS; COVER MEANS FOR THE SHEET MATERIAL PLACEABLE BETWEEN SAID FRONT PANEL MEANS WHEN VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND SAID CORNER PANEL MEANS, AND DISPOSED OVER SAID BASE MEANS SO AS TO COMPRESS THE SHEET MATERIAL DOWNWARDLY THEREAGAINST; AND MAGNETIC MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID COVER MEANS AND MAGNETICALLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FRONT PANEL MEANS WHEN VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND WITH SAID CORNER PANEL MEANS. 